Central Region Livelihood Security Program (CRLSP); USAID/CARE

Dina Moyo is 55 years old and comes from Malegela, Lilongwe District. Dina is looking after five of her grandchildren. They live in a small house with a leaky roof. She owns no livestock and depends solely on a 3-acre land that she cultivates to provide for her and her family. At her age, Dina lacks energy to take care of her grandchildren and most times there is not enough food in the house to feed all of them, let alone meet their nutritional needs.

In July 2000, Dina joined other members of the community involved in the rehabilitation of Kanthumbi dam situated in her village.

At first, Dina admitted that her sole aim was to earn money from this cash for work activity. She could not imagine how manual labor alone could remove all the silt that had accumulated in the dam over the years.

Today Dina has a different perspective. She is now a strong believer in teamwork. In a matter of months, the dam was completely desilted. She says she looks forward to the day when the dam will have fish and plenty of water for irrigation.

Using money she received from participating in the cash-for-work activities, Dina has managed to buy maize for her household and a small bag of fertilizer that she will apply to her crops this season. She says she has also learned a lot about soil conservation and hopes that together with other members of her community they will look after the dam diligently.